The Malayan tapir is a very unique looking animal, with a rather funny but strange little trunk. They grow between 1.8 m to 2.4 m or 6 to 8 feet in length and stand 90 to 107 cm or 3 to 3.5 feet tall. The weight of a tapir is between 250 to 320 kg or 550 to 700 pounds. There are different types of tapirs; the Malayan tapir is the largest of the species.

A Malayan tapir (tapirus indicus) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

They have very poor eyesight, but their sense of smell and their hearing are excellent, and they use these senses rather than rely on eyesight. They carry their young for around 390 days, after which a single offspring is born. The baby looks totally different to the Mother, the coat of the baby is covered with white strips and spots, and this is to resemble the dappled light of the forest and is a protection. When older of course they then have the 2 tone colouring, and when asleep these animals can resemble rocks, which may protect them.
They are unfortunately an endangered species.

Baby Malayan Tapir, one month old (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The baby Malayan tapir that was born at Belfast zoo is called Marjorie, and she was born on the 4 March 2012.
Her Mum “Gladys” came to the Belfast Zoo in 1994 from the Toronto zoo, and her Father “Elmer” came from the Mulhouse Zoo in France in 1995.
You can learn more about Marjorie at the Belfast Zoo’s web site.

The Zoo also has free desktop wallpaper of some baby animals including one of the baby tapir if anyone is interested for the kids or themselves. :)

The video below is of a baby tapir born at the Woodland Park Zoo back in 2007, sorry I couldn’t find a video of Marjorie from the Belfast Zoo, but Marjorie is exactly the same as this baby below.

Oh dear Mags, they are so lovely, especially the baby tapir. In our zoo I saw them too, but not same colour with these tapirs… Black and white… amazing. Thank you so much, I learned more about them now… With my love, nia

Hi reb,
Oh yes definitely a cuteness factor, they are just so unusual the baby’s, so very pretty with the stripes and spots. It is great that there are zoos the world over that are breeding these animals, at least that way the next generation of children will still be able to see them. :)

They are a strange looking animal, but still cute in their own way,,
The baby looks strange being born with those markings, but I can see how it would be a protection for it in the wild. Isn’t nature wonderful?
Great post Mags!

I saw one of those tapirs when I was at the Miami Metro Zoo — it was amazing! There were a couple of them, I think. And at first, I thought half of their bodies were in the shade! Because they were standing among a lot of trees. Then I realized, wow, that is just their natural coloring. Truly something to see.

Hi happykidshappymom,
They are truly an amazing looking animal, from the time they are born to when they are adults. The way the colour is on the body is a protection thing, and when laying down, they can resemble a rock.

What an interesting animal they are and one which I know next to nothing about. The coloring is fascinating and when asleep they resemble rocks! Now that’s what I call tricky! I wonder if they are related to elephants? They are certainly elephant like. HA! I always learn something new and interesting on your blog Mags!

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